Ultra-processed meals light up the brain's reward area in new scans
Among 60 study participants, meals with the same sugar and fat still produced different brain and blood sugar responses.
A US research team used brain scans to measure how 60 people responded to healthy and ultra-processed meals. The ultra-processed meals had the same sugar and fat content as the healthy ones.
The ultra-processed meals activated a brain region associated with motivation and reward. The ultra-processed meals also spiked insulin levels and kept blood sugar elevated for much longer.
Associate Professor Alex Di Feliceantonio said the data was different on almost every measure. The move towards whole foods is small but growing.
CSIRO modelling predicts Australian diets will get worse by 2030, with 10 per cent less fruit eaten. About 42 per cent of calories eaten in Australia come from ultra-processed foods.
The US figure is about 55 per cent.
- 60
- Participants studied
- About 42 per cent
- Australian calories from ultra-processed
- About 55 per cent
- US calories from ultra-processed foods
- 10 per cent less fruit eaten
- CSIRO fruit forecast for 2030
Why it mattersThe study suggests the food you eat may change how your brain rewards you for eating it.
AustraliaAbout 42 per cent of calories eaten in Australia come from ultra-processed foods, so the findings touch everyday diets here.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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